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Brown suede: Pick b/w C&J or Tramezza?

EL72

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If you had to pick between one of these two brown suede shoes, which would it be and why?

C&J for Polo Alton Suede (GVH lists these as Made in Italy; another GVH error?)

altontn3.jpg


SF Tramezza Gherardo

tram1iv4.jpg


Any info on sizing would help too. I am usually a 9.5W so would 9.5 for the Altons (GVH has not listed any wide widths) and 10EE for the Tramezzas work? Thanks
 

gdl203

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I like the Polo better
 

skalogre

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I have to say that I like the Polo better - I like sleeker shoes (even though I own quite a few boots/shoes that are not sleek by a long shot).
 

aportnoy

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Alton for me too.
 

odoreater

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Put me in the Tramezza column, but then again I am partial to Tramezza as I own a couple of pairs and I love them. I love the look of the toe where it's slightly chiseled, but not overly so and the shoes you posted have that same look. If those shoes were to show up on ebay in my size in the $340 range, I would probably jump on them in a heartbeat. The C&J as okay, but it looks a little bland to me, whereas the Tramezza has a little more style to it, but that's just me, some of these old fogeys on the forum like bland.
smile.gif


Also, if you normally wear a wide, are you sure that the Polos in the D fitting will fit you?

Finally, if you normally wear a 9.5W, why are you going up to a 10W in the Tramezzas? I don't think that they run that small from my own personal experience. I wear a 10.5EEE in AE and a UK 10G in C&J, and I go for a 10.5EE in Tramezza.
 

von Rothbart

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Me like Alton better. But take into consideration I am biased toward English.
 

skalogre

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Originally Posted by odoreater
Put me in the Tramezza column, but then again I am partial to Tramezza as I own a couple of pairs and I love them. I love the look of the toe where it's slightly chiseled, but not overly so and the shoes you posted have that same look. If those shoes were to show up on ebay in my size in the $340 range, I would probably jump on them in a heartbeat. The C&J as okay, but it looks a little bland to me, whereas the Tramezza has a little more style to it, but that's just me, some of these old fogeys on the forum like bland.
smile.gif


Also, if you normally wear a wide, are you sure that the Polos in the D fitting will fit you?

Finally, if you normally wear a 9.5W, why are you going up to a 10W in the Tramezzas? I don't think that they run that small from my own personal experience. I wear a 10.5EEE in AE and a UK 10G in C&J, and I go for a 10.5EE in Tramezza.



This old fogey (
biggrin.gif
) is wondering what it is about the Tramezza that looks more stylish (serious actually - the Tramezza looks more bland in that photo).
Oh, almost forgot:
Damn kids! Git offa ma lawn! And keep that damn rocking music down!
laugh.gif
 

EL72

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Originally Posted by odoreater
Also, if you normally wear a wide, are you sure that the Polos in the D fitting will fit you?

No, but I am not so wide that some normal widths can fit without being too constricting. Since suede tends to strectch as well, I figured I could give it a shot - particularly at GVH prices...


Originally Posted by odoreater
Finally, if you normally wear a 9.5W, why are you going up to a 10W in the Tramezzas? I don't think that they run that small from my own personal experience. I wear a 10.5EEE in AE and a UK 10G in C&J, and I go for a 10.5EE in Tramezza.

Not sure either. I know some Tramezza lasts are more elongated than others - not sure about this one. Thanks for the tip though. If you wear 10.5EE, check out these Tramezzas, a good price, even at BIN.
devil.gif


http://cgi.ebay.com/Authentic-Ferrag...QQcmdZViewItem
 

EL72

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Originally Posted by DocHolliday
Would you be wearing them more with suits or with cords/khakis/casual wear? I'd pick the SF for the former, the C&J for the latter.


Thanks, since I would wear them primarily with dress pants, coat and tie (and would like to with suits but have never worn suede with suits), I am inclined to agree w/you to go with the SF. I already have casual suede brogues (w/rubber sole tho
wow.gif
) for cords and khakis.
 

odoreater

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Originally Posted by skalogre
This old fogey (
biggrin.gif
) is wondering what it is about the Tramezza that looks more stylish (serious actually - the Tramezza looks more bland in that photo).
Oh, almost forgot:
Damn kids! Git offa ma lawn! And keep that damn rocking music down!
laugh.gif


Haha!
laugh.gif
The thing I like about the Tramezzas is the shape of the toe. I'm not sure it comes out as well in the picture, but the shape of the toes on most Tramezzas I've seen is really something else. That's not to say that the C&J's are not very nice - which they are. In fact, I wouldn't mind having either one of those shoes.

Originally Posted by EL72
If you wear 10.5EE, check out these Tramezzas, a good price, even at BIN.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Authentic-Ferrag...QQcmdZViewItem


Thanks for the tip! Those are really nice boots, but I'm not sure if my wallet can take another hit.
 

Margaret

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The Polos are sweet. Much more elegant than the Tramezzas, which look a little clunky and awkward with that cap toe. Relatively speaking, of course.
 

thinman

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I own a pair of the suede Altons (C&J Handgrades on the 337 last, *not* made in Italy) and a pair of the Gherardos, though not in suede. There are some practical considerations to keep in mind when deciding between the two shoes. First, the 337 last is elongated and I went down 1/2 size from my normal US sizing (I bought US 11.5D instead of my normal US 12D). Second, the Tramezzas are available in a wide width, whereas the Altons are standard D width and may be too narrow. I have a narrow foot and my Altons are snug, though not uncomfortable (and it's true that the 1/2 size shorter than usual also makes them narrower than usual). Third, recognize that if the auction has "GVH" in the title, the auction is from the online "outlet store" for Grapevinehill and sells seconds. This may not be important to you and may not be the case for the shoes you're considering, but you need to be aware. Finally, realize that despite the pictures, both shoes are very similar in color, a chocolate brown. I looked at the suede Gherardos when I was wearing my Altons and couldn't distinguish any difference in the colors, though I didn't place them side-by-side.

Now for my personal stylistic preferences. I like both shoes and enjoy wearing them. I wear odd jackets/trousers more frequently than I wear suits, yet I get more use from the Gherardos. I find the sleek last of the Altons an unusual combination with the suede, blucher, wingtip styling. IMO, the styling would be more consistent with a wider last such as the 325 last used for Polo's Darlton wingtips, which I also own (and wear more than either my Altons or Gherardos).

I don't think you can go wrong with either shoe and I believe the construction quality is comparable. If I were you, though, I would try to find a local store that carries one or both shoes to try them on before buying. The fit considerations, especially width in your case, should be paramount.
 

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